The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is an American three-seat, high wing, single engine conventional landing gear-equipped light aircraft that was produced by Piper Aircraft between 1946-48. The PA-12 was an upgraded and redesignated Piper J-5.

Development ²

When Piper dropped the J- designation system in exchange for the PA- system, the J-5C became the PA-12 Super Cruiser. The earlier J-5s had been powered by either a 100 hp (75 kW) Lycoming O-235 or a 75 hp (56 kW) Lycoming O-145. The newer PA-12 model was initially powered by a 108 hp (81 kW) Lycoming O-235-C engine, was fully cowled, and had a metal spar wing with two 19 gallon fuel tanks. A Lycoming O-235-C1 engine rated at 115 hp (86 kW) for take-off was optional.

The PA-12 is approved for wheels, skis, floats and also for crop spraying. The PA-12 cockpit accommodation is provided for the pilot in the front seat and two passengers in the rear seat, side-by-side. Unlike the J-3 Cub the PA-12 is flown solo from the front seat.

Operational Use²

Many Piper PA-12 Super Cruisers have been modified with larger engines. Wing flaps and a metal-skin fuselage can be added as modifications.

In 1947, two Piper PA-12 Super Cruisers named City of Washington and City of Angels flew around the world, and the worst mechanical failure they suffered was a cracked tailwheel. The City of Washington currently resides at the Boeing Aviation Hangar, part of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. The City of Angels is on display at the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven, PA.

Many Piper PA-12 Super Cruisers are still flown and the type is commonly seen in North America. In November 2009 there were still 1688 registered in the USA and 229 in Canada.

Variants²

PA-12: Original model type certified 24 March 1947, with a gross weight of 1,750 lb (794 kg) in the Normal Category and 1,500 lb (680 kg) in the Utility Category.